Recovering From a Dog Bite?

PURSUE COMPENSATION FOR YOUR INJURY IN TYLER, TEXAS AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Dogs can be man’s best friend, but they can also be dangerous. A dog bite can lead to serious injuries and property damage! Therefore, you don’t have to be responsible for the costs. Attorney Vickery has practiced law for over 30 years in the Whitehouse, Lindale, & Tyler, TX areas! He is ready to help you get compensation following a dog bite.

Laws on dog bites change from state to state. Texas law follows the one-bite rule when it comes to dog attacks. If you were bitten more than once by a dog or have reason to believe the owner knew the dog would bite and did not provide adequate warning or protection, you have the right to seek compensation.

Vickery Law Firm Fighting for Justice, Caring for You

Call Now at (903) 504-5490

What is the “One-Bite Rule”?

The one-bite rule, at its core, allows certain dogs and situations to one ‘free bite,’! It means that if a victim was only bitten once, then the owner is not liable for the injuries or damages. The specifics of the rule are that an owner is only liable for a dog bite if they had reason to suspect the dog would bite someone. Maybe a dog was not naturally aggressive but still attacked someone. In this case the owner could restrain them before a second bite, they would not be liable for the first.

However, this doesn’t mean that the first bite is always ‘free.’ If the owner has reasonable knowledge that the dog could be aggressive and doesn’t properly restrain the dog or warn the victim, then they would still be liable for that first bite and all resulting injuries.

Examples of a scenario where the one bite rule would not apply:

The owner has previous knowledge of the dog being non-friendly and aggressive
The dog has a previous record of biting
The dog was in a pre-agitated state of being

The owner is not always 100% liable, however. If the victim was trespassing or proven to have provoked the dog, then the owner would not have to pay for damages or medical bills.

Vickery Law Firm Fighting for Justice, Caring for You

Call Now at (903) 504-5490

What Compensation Can You Receive?

Dog bites are more than just injuries at the point of impact. Any kind of animal-related injury brings along the added danger of infection! It can also come with damaged property, and possible loss of work. If a dog bites you, you have the right to receive compensation for these damages, including:

Payment for medical bills, medicine, and physical therapy as a result of the injury
Compensation for property damage, including fences and clothing
Payment for loss of wages due to inability to work as a result of the injury

An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you cover the costs of a dog bite and let you focus on recovering and getting back to good health as soon as possible.

Vickery Law Firm Fighting for Justice, Caring for You

Call Now at (903) 504-5490

What to Do After a Dog Bite

Experiencing any sort of injury can be panic-inducing, but it’s important to keep a cool head. When you’ve been bitten by a dog, make sure you seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can get an infection with any number of animal-borne diseases! You will want to make sure you get medical treatment before they spread or get worse.

After you’ve been treated, gather as much information as possible relating to the incident. Get the name, number, and address of the dog’s owner, as well as any tag information that you can get on the dog. Keep an organized record of your medical bills and itemize any other damages that occurred from the bite, such as clothing or fencing.

Compensation

If you seek medical compensation or coverage for wage loss, get a record from your doctor stating that the injuries sustained resulted from the dog bite. It’s also a good idea to get any witness statements and information from anyone who may have witnessed the bite.

When you open a claim for compensation from the owner, you’ll need to prove that you weren’t trespassing or otherwise breaking the law and that you didn’t provoke the dog. If you were only bitten once, you’ll need to find proof that the owner knew the dog was a bite risk and that they didn’t restrain the dog or warn you ahead of time.

Being injured by a dog bite can be costly and frustrating. It can even get emotional if a friend or family member owns the dog. But you have a right to receive compensation for your injuries and property damage.

If you were injured by a dog bite, call Vickery Law Firm today at 903-504-5490 for a consultation about your options. We’ll help you decide if the one bite rule applies and what you will be able to seek compensation for. You don’t have to suffer alone.